1 Timothy 3 in the early church
367 passages quote, allude to, or echo 1 Timothy 3, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 15 · 16
1 Timothy 3:1
This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:1 | On the Soul 16 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 210 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Commentary on Matthew 11.15 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Commentary on Matthew 14.22 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| 1 Tim 3:1–13 | Acta Archelai (Latin) 61 · Hegemonius | allusion, high confidence | early to mid 4th century (Greek original) |
| 1 Tim 3:1–10 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 70 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| 1 Tim 3:1–2 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 71 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| 1 Tim 3:1–5 | Tractates on the Psalms 118.3.16 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Oration 21.10 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| 1 Tim 3:1–2 | Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:1 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Question 101, section 5 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Letter 14.8 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Letter 58.5 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Letter 69.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Letter 69.8 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Letter 146.2 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Letter 173.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Commentary on Titus 1:6 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387 |
| 1 Tim 3:1–7 | Homily 7 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| 1 Tim 3:1–4 | Homily 10.1 on 1 Timothy · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 392-397 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Against Jovinianus 1.34 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | City of God 19.19 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
| 1 Tim 3:1 | Celestine, ACO I.2, letter 26.3 · Celestine I, bishop of Rome | allusion, high confidence | 430-432 |
1 Timothy 3:2
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1 Timothy 3:3
not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Homilies on Exodus 10.4 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Homilies on Leviticus 7.1 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 60 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Commentary on Romans 8.10 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Apostolic Church Order 16 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300 |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Letter 54 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Oration 2.38 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Letter 14.8 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Letter 52.11 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Letter 69.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Letter 69.8 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | Letter 69.9 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | On Baptism, against the Donatists 3.23 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 400–401 |
1 Timothy 3:4
An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
1 Timothy 3:5
For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:5 | Miscellanies 3.12.79 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| 1 Tim 3:5 | Miscellanies 3.18.108 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| 1 Tim 3:5 | Fragment Z V (to Aphrodisius) · Dionysius of Alexandria | echo, low confidence | ca. 248–265 |
| 1 Tim 3:5 | Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:3 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:5 | Letter 69.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:5 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.2.4 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| 1 Tim 3:5 | Commentary on Titus 1:6 · Theodore of Mopsuestia | allusion, medium confidence | 392–428 |
| 1 Tim 3:5 | Poem 24, lines 763–794 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 393–431 |
1 Timothy 3:6
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Prescription against Heretics 41 · Tertullian | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 203 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Homily on Luke 8 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–250 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Homily on Isaiah 8 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 235–250 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Homilies on Ezekiel 9.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Homilies on Numbers 12.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 12 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Commentary on Matthew 12.14 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Commentary on Romans 8.10 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Commentary on Romans 9.3 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Life of Cyprian 3 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 258–265 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Canon 2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 325 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Canon 3 · Anonymous | echo, medium confidence | ca. 343–381 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Canon 10 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | 343 or 347 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Canon 13 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | 343 or 347 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 56 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letters 212, 213 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Tractates on the Psalms 118.3.16 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Oration 32.24 · Gregory of Nazianzus | echo, medium confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Against Eunomius 1.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 364 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Against Eunomius 1.13 · Basil of Caesarea | echo, medium confidence | ca. 364 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Homilies 11.1 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:6 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 69.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 69.9 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 76.1 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Apostolic Canon 80 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.2.1 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Apostolic Constitutions 3.2.3 · Anonymous | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | On the Beatitudes 1201 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, low confidence | ca. 380–394 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 6 to various bishops, chapter 3 · Siricius, bishop of Rome | echo, low confidence | 385 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 6 to various bishops, chapter 4 · Siricius, bishop of Rome | allusion, medium confidence | 385 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 6 to various bishops, chapter 5 · Siricius, bishop of Rome | allusion, high confidence | 385 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 10, canons of the Roman synod to the bishops of Gaul, chapter 15 · Siricius, bishop of Rome | allusion, high confidence | 385 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Homilies on Matthew 15.2 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Homilies on Matthew 65.6 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Letter 7, chapter 2 · Zosimus, bishop of Rome | allusion, high confidence | 417–418 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 3.18 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, medium confidence | ca. 420–421 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 3.24 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 420–421 |
| 1 Tim 3:6–7 | Sermon 26 · Peter Chrysologus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Canon 1 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | date disputed (between ca. 442 and 506) |
1 Timothy 3:7
Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Homilies on Leviticus 6.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | On the Singleness of Clerics 41 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Apostolic Church Order 16 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Canon 2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 325 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:7 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Question 101, section 9 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Letter 69.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Letter 69.9 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Letter 125.17 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.50 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Commentary on Titus 1:6 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Homily 4 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Homily 15.2 on 1 Timothy · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 392-397 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Confessions 3.10 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Confessions 5.3 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.56 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 398–400 |
1 Timothy 3:8
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Didache 15.1 · Anonymous | echo, medium confidence | ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | To the Philippians 5.2 · Polycarp of Smyrna | allusion, high confidence | ca. 110–135 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | The Instructor 3.12.97 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 12 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Apostolic Church Order 20 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | On the Decrees of Nicaea 5 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 350–356 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 71 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| 1 Tim 3:8–10 | Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:8–10 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Question 127, section 36 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, low confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Letter 14.8 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Letter 146.2 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 59.4.1 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374-377 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.6.1 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.50 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| 1 Tim 3:8 | Canon 14 · Anonymous | echo, low confidence | date disputed (between ca. 442 and 506) |
1 Timothy 3:9
They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:9 | Commentary on Romans 6.13 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| 1 Tim 3:9 | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.50 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
1 Timothy 3:10
Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:10 | Letter 14.8 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:10 | Letter 10, canons of the Roman synod to the bishops of Gaul, chapter 15 · Siricius, bishop of Rome | quotation, high confidence | 385 |
| 1 Tim 3:10 | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.50 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| 1 Tim 3:10 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 41.10 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| 1 Tim 3:10 | On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 38 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 415 |
| 1 Tim 3:10 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 1.28 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 420–421 |
1 Timothy 3:11
In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:11 | Miscellanies 3.6.53 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| 1 Tim 3:11 | Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:11 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| 1 Tim 3:11 | Against Jovinianus 1.35 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
1 Timothy 3:12
A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
1 Timothy 3:13
For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 3:13 | Commentary on Romans 8.10 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| 1 Tim 3:13 | Apostolic Church Order 22 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300 |
| 1 Tim 3:13 | Letter 14.8 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| 1 Tim 3:13 | Apostolic Constitutions 8.18.3 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| 1 Tim 3:13 | Letters 2.3 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
1 Timothy 3:15
in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:16
By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.